In the popular Twilight saga, Bella Swan and Edward Cullen get married in the third book and movie, Breaking Dawn Part 1. Their wedding is one of the most anticipated scenes for fans of the series. Many key moments happen during their nuptials, including the first dance between Bella and Edward as husband and wife. So what song is playing for their iconic first dance?
The Song Selection Process
Selecting the right song for Bella and Edward’s first dance was an important decision. It needed to fit the mood and tone of the couple and the wedding. Music is a powerful part of any wedding, but especially for these two characters who had an intense supernatural love story. Their song choice would resonate with fans for years to come.
In the book version of Breaking Dawn, the song for the first dance is not revealed. Author Stephenie Meyer leaves it up to the reader’s imagination. When it came time for the movie adaptation, the filmmakers had the tough task of picking a song that would work for the scene. The song had to be romantic and magical, just like Bella and Edward’s relationship.
Initially, the plan was to use the song “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars. But the filmmakers changed their choice to “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” by Iron & Wine. The Iron & Wine song had actually already been featured in an earlier Twilight movie, so it had significance. In the end, it was the right emotional fit for Bella and Edward’s wedding dance.
The Meaning of the Song
“Flightless Bird, American Mouth” is an indie folk song released by Iron & Wine in 2005. Here are some key lyrics from the song:
“I was a quick wet boy, diving too deep for coins”
“But I was a flood, I was a flood”
“All the years I said no to any moment we stopped to grow”
The poetic lyrics are open to interpretation, but they seem to evoke themes of personal transformation, growth and accepting love. These themes resonate with Bella and Edward’s relationship journey from guarded outsiders to passionate soulmates.
Bella starts out in the Twilight saga feeling awkward and out of place in Forks, Washington. Edward is a mysterious loner haunted by being a vampire. As they fall in love, they open themselves up in powerful ways and build an unbreakable supernatural bond. “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” mirrors how they overcome their individual hang-ups to embrace a soaring love without limits or fear.
The lyrics also speak to the eternal nature of their love. The characters are immortal vampires, so their love will last forever. The song ties into key romantic moments they share in the overall Twilight franchise as well.
Lyrical References to Bella and Edward
Several of the song lyrics directly connect to meaningful moments between Bella and Edward:
- “I was a flood, I was a flood” – This echoes a scene in Twilight where Bella describes Edward’s presence overwhelming and consuming her like a flood.
- “All the years I said no to any moment we stopped to grow” – Bella resisted love for years before Edward. He was closed off to romance before meeting Bella.
- “But I was young and I didn’t know how” – References them overcoming the struggles of youth and inexperience in life and love.
- “My feet can’t touch the floor” – Bella felt like she was floating whenever she kissed Edward.
The song captures the fairy tale aspect of Bella and Edward’s love story. It speaks to them overcoming their flaws and fears to embrace an extraordinary eternal love.
Scene Description – First Dance
In the movie, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” plays while Bella and Edward have their first dance together after the wedding ceremony. As the song starts, the newlyweds walk hand-in-hand onto the dance floor.
The scene takes place in the woods under an open-air tent decorated with lights and flowers. Snow is falling lightly around Bella and Edward. Their guests watch quietly from the sidelines as the dance begins.
Bella wears a long-sleeve lace wedding dress, with her hair in a chignon style and simple veil. Edward looks dashing in a classic black tuxedo. They gaze into each other’s eyes as they begin to dance slowly in a graceful waltz.
The dance is emotional and romantic. Bella and Edward seem lost in their own world, oblivious to everyone around them. The song’s gentle melody and poetic lyrics create the perfect atmosphere. Close-up camera shots capture every nuance of their expressions and movements.
As the song continues, the tempo changes slightly as Bella and Edward move across the dance floor. The lighting shifts to illuminate them amidst the falling snow. The song’s crescendo coincides with the dance reaching an intimate peak between the newlyweds.
The key lyrics “But I was young, and I didn’t know how, My feet can’t touch the floor” play over close-ups of Bella and Edward’s feet effortlessly gliding and turning during the dance. Their bodies seem in synch and deeply connected.
At the song’s finale, Bella and Edward share a tender kiss before holding each other close. The guests applaud as the first dance comes to a magical end and the next part of the wedding celebrations begin.
Overall, the first dance scene captures Bella and Edward’s romance beautifully through song, visuals and choreography. “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” was the perfect musical choice.
Fan Reactions
The use of “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” for Bella and Edward’s first dance was a big hit with Twilight fans. Many fans praised the song selection:
- “This song is so fitting for them! The lyrics are so poetic and romantic.”
- “I get chills when I hear this song now. It’s so perfect for this scene.”
- “The melody and instrumentals are gorgeous. Really captures the fairy tale vibe.”
- “It was made for Bella and Edward! Fits their love story so well.”
Many fans said the song made them emotional and brought tears during the first dance scene. Others said the song choice made sense after noticing its use in an earlier Twilight movie during a key Bella and Edward moment.
Overall, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” was a touching musical accompaniment that enhanced the pivotal wedding first dance between Bella and Edward. It will remain one of the most unforgettable song usages in the Twilight saga for generations to come.
Conclusion
Music is a vital part of the movies and helps bring key scenes to life. In Breaking Dawn Part 1, Bella and Edward’s first wedding dance was given depth and emotion with the song “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” by Iron & Wine.
The melancholic folk melody and evocative lyrics matched Bella and Edward’s relationship arc and supernatural love. Specific lines spoke to pivotal moments between them. Visually, the dance choreography aligned perfectly with the song’s dynamic beats and instrumentation.
Overall, the song choice resonated with fans and complemented the scene beautifully. When Bella and Edward’s first dance is remembered, “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” will always be associated with one of the most iconic and romantic moments in Twilight history.
The song selection process for movies is challenging. But in the case of Twilight’s first wedding dance, the filmmakers chose an absolute winner. “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” captured the fairy tale essence of Bella and Edward’s eternal love.
So for those wondering what song plays when Bella and Edward dance at their wedding, the answer is the meaningful indie folk ballad “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” by Iron & Wine. A song that perfectly encapsulates one of the most famous supernatural love stories of all time.